Orientations differ; goal stays same
The transition from high school to college can be difficult, but summer orientation programs at colleges can help ease the experience.
These programs vary by school, some being social events and others more academic. Slippery Rock University offers an academic first-year orientation program.
"We have always been and always will be academically focused," said Robert Lagnese director of orientation at SRU.
Lagnese said there are three primary goals of orientation: course scheduling, room and roommate assignments, and getting a university ID card.
The daylong orientation sessions generally run from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and include placement testing and small group sessions to discuss major-specific topics.
Typically, parents attend the orientation sessions with their children. Lagnese estimates 96 to 98 percent of first-year students take at least one guest with them to orientation.
He tries to make the most of the opportunity to inform parents by scheduling separate programming for them. Though parents and students attend a welcome session and eat lunch together, the majority of the day is spent apart. Lagnese believes this separation is important because it allows students to make their own decisions about what kind of college experience they want.
While students are scheduling courses, making ID cards and learning about their academic programs, parents attend panel discussions about student services such as the health center, financial aid, housing and academics.
The aim of these discussions is to help parents prepare their children for life at college, and Lagnese said asking questions is an important part of the process.
"Parents should be asking questions like how can my students take ownership over their college experience and what can they do to develop their independence and leadership skills to be successful on their own," he said.
Students also should be asking questions about the university. They should ask, "How do I make the most of my college experience both academically and personally?" Lagnese said.
Parents and students can expect to walk away from orientation feeling well informed and ready to make the transition into college.
"Orientation should give students the opportunity to solidify their connection to the university, faculty and staff," Lagnese said.
Grove City College offers three optional summer previews to prepare students and parents for the academic year. New students are able to meet with professors, learn about the resources that are available to the student body, and learn about student life programs and leadership opportunities.
Classes are scheduled in advance of the summer preview because Grove City has a predetermined schedule for incoming students to follow their first semester.
The goal of the summer program is to give students an opportunity to have individual time with department professors, according to Larry Hardesty, vice president for student life and learning.
"We try to set it up to be really personal," he said.
The summer previews are optional one-day programs that will be June 18, 25 and 28. Students can attend social welcoming events during move-in week.
At the University of Pittsburgh, incoming freshmen participate in a mandatory two-day program called PittStart, which is an academic orientation program with separate agendas for parents and new students.
PittStart teaches students and parents about financial aid options, allows students to schedule their classes and to meet with academic advisers, and to tour campus before move-in week. Students can stay overnight in the residence halls for a $40 fee.
A number of other social and informational events for new students are held during move-in week, starting Aug. 24 and 25. Those include game nights, trips to Pirates games and an ice cream social with student affairs directors.
